I am so sorry, time has just slipped away from me. For Sailor Panda (who this is dedicated to) I hope you are still reading Yu-Gi-Oh fanfiction. If not, well on the off chance that you ever remember that I promised you a chapter and decide to check if I've even bothered writhing it, here it is. I'm sure you would have done a better job with this idea but I tried my best.

To everyone else, sorry and thank-you for reviewing. And if this isn't the swain you wanted sorry again. I am seriously considering redoing this and upping the number of potential suitors. Nothing else would change except the number of swains the old lady gives her visions of, the text would all stay the same. What do you think? My reviewers have nominated some individuals that I didn't even consider originally.

To the nice reviewer (Stephanie Jelly) who suggested a site for me to check out Escaflowne stuff, the address didn't show up in the review. If you review again (and I hope you do) could you please put it in again but try spacing it out. Thanks.

...vV...Vv...

This time as Tèa felt her mind settle into place she couldn't see anything straight away. It took her a moment to realize that this was because her future self had her eyes closed. While her vision remained black Tèa took the opportunity to evaluate what she'd just seen.

'Kaiba? Seto Kaiba? That was so odd. I always thought that anyone who ended up with Kaiba would only be there for the money, he wouldn't offer much in the way of emotional support. But his expression, he really cared. I knew there had to be more to him than that mask of his, the way he behaves with Mokuba is a dead give away, I just never expected to be the one.'

Tèa gave a mental head shake, as she did Future-Tèa opened her eyes. She was leaning against the railing of a pathway that overlooked a bay. Unlike the scenes from Fiji with Joey, this was obviously a well populated area. Apartment blocks were built right down to the beginning of the sand in some areas and the wide concrete path she was standing on continued on around the curve of the bay as far as she could see.

Tèa had been leaning forward and enjoying the sea breeze as it caressed her face. The day was almost suffocatingly hot and the cooling breeze was a welcome relief. She stayed like that for a few more minutes before turning so that she leant back against the railing, supporting her weight on her elbows. Now Tèa could see a number of shop fronts. Most of them were restaurants and clubs, this looked to be the center of the area's nightlife. Since it was only early afternoon, at the latest, none of them appeared to be doing much business, if they were open at all. Still the surroundings weren't empty of people, most of them were out walking and enjoying the view. About twenty metres away were a trio of vendors taking advantage of this passing custom, selling ice-creams, hot-dogs and drinks out of carts.

As the body she was occupying continued to peruse the faces of passerby's Tèa realized that she was decidedly swain-less. 'That's peculiar, I saw my last two future partners a lot sooner than this. I wonder where he is.'

She had no sooner thought this than she felt someone settle against the rail beside her. Tèa turned fully to face the new arrival. Past-Tèa was a little shocked, 'But I don't even know him.' She knew it was unfair to judge on the way a person looked but she really didn't like this man. It wasn't that he wasn't attractive, because he was. Maybe not movie star gorgeous but still pretty good. It was something about the way he held himself, sort of arrogantly, it vaguely reminded her of Seto Kaiba when he was in full blown I-am-king-of-the-world mode. That and the way he was looking at her, staring more like. Nothing she could really pinpoint, but she was still getting seriously bad vibes from this guy. 'And he's about thirty five! Then again I'm not sure how old I am.'

So she wasn't terribly upset when Future-Tèa said, in a cool, aloof voice, "I'm sorry, do I know you?"

"No, but you could." he replied. Grinning slightly, he reached out a hand that he ran down her arm. He left his hand resting on her upper arm.

'Ha! So I was right.', thought Tèa. 'Well let's see how I handle this. Hopefully I haven't gotten soft in my old age.'

"Much as I'd love to take you up on that," said Tèa, forcing an obviously fake smile on to her face. Evidently both future and past Tèa's felt the same way about this man. "I'm waiting for someone."

"Oh come on. Just have a drink with me." He gestured to one of the only bars that was currently open then gripped her arm more purposefully, trying to lead her away.

"No thank you.", she stated firmly, "I told you I'm waiting for someone." Tèa started to inch her hand towards her handbag.

The man sighed, "I've been watching you, you've been here for a half hour already. Just how long was this person intending to keep you waiting?"

"Not much longer." growled a voice from behind him. The person was obscured from Tèa's view by the man gripping her arm. When he shifted slightly she was able to see who had spoken.

Past-Tèa's mind stuttered to a halt. 'What?...I mean...I...Malik?' It was Malik, he was obviously older, Tèa judged him, and by extension her, to be in their mid twenties. The lines of his face were sharper and he'd grown. Not just up but he'd bulked up too. His body barely resembled that of the skinny teenager Tèa had known. Some things hadn't changed though, his platinum blonde hair waving in the wind was still the same length and style and he apparently hadn't lost his preference for gold jewelry, several gold decorations adorned his wrists and neck.

It was definitely Malik, Tèa decided, as she settled back to watch, still a little dazed. And right now he was furious.

Fists clenched at his sides Malik spoke slowly, as if willing the words to come out calmly. "I would suggest you let her go." He stopped and considered, "No, actually, I've had a rough day and I need to vent. Go ahead."

"Malik!" said Tèa sharply. But at his arrival she'd relaxed and moved her hand away from her bag.

Completely misinterpreting the reason for her anger Malik waved away her concerns. "He won't hurt you, I just need him to try." The Egyptian grinned wolfishly.

The man abruptly let go of Tèa's arm. "Look, I didn't mean anything by it. I'll just leave now. I can see you to want to talk." He retreated back to where Tèa could only assume he had come from - the bar he'd indicated earlier.

Tèa breathed a sigh of relief that he was gone then turned to look at Malik. He was still glaring after Tèa's unwanted suitor, murder written in his eyes. This time Tèa's sigh was one of frustration.

"Oh come on Malik, nothing happened. You always get like this."

Malik didn't say anything but his expression got contemplative, behind the anger, and he took a step toward the bar.

Glancing around hurriedly, searching for a distraction, Tèa lighted on the vendors. She linked her arm with Malik's and started to walk towards the mobile food stalls. Malik fought her for the first few steps, trying to get free and chase the sleazeball that had been harassing his girlfriend. When he realized that Tèa wasn't going to let him go he calmed down somewhat and followed her lead, but he kept glancing back over his shoulder.

Seeing that he was still anything but calm Tèa began talking hoping to distract him.

"I think we should get something cold, it's boiling out here. But then of course you're used to it. You probably feel right at home."

Even annoyed as he was Malik had to smile at the mock-bitter tone in Tèa's voice.

"That doesn't mean I wouldn't like something to help me cool down." he said quietly.

"Agreed. But what?" mused Tèa, she reached over and took hold of Malik's chin, turning him so that he no longer looked towards the bar but instead maintained eye contact with her.

"On the one hand" she said, once she was certain that he was paying attention to her. "We have an ice cream. The traditional choice for hot weather. On the other hand there's always a popsicle, also a valid contender."

"Now I've always found the popsicle to be more refreshing. I think it's because the ice cream leaves that slightly clinging creamy taste in the mouth. That said, ice cream just seems more...homey than a popsicle, I think I see it as more of a comfort food." Malik was now smiling in an indulgent way, listening to her prattle. Tèa was vaguely annoyed at this, even though she was aware she was blathering, but at least he seemed to have left all homicidal thoughts behind.

They had arrived at the ice-cream stand. The young woman serving gave them a bright smile and asked what they wanted.

Malik answered immediately, "Orange Popsicle", while Tèa deliberated, rocking from foot to foot as she thought.

"I'll have...umm...the...raspberr- No I want...gah, too many choices. I'll just go back to old favorites. One vanilla cone please."

The couple paid for their purchases then moved into the shade of a nearby tree to enjoy the icy treats.

Tèa eyed Malik's popsicle, "Maybe I should have gotten a popsicle. They are less fattening."

"Well in that case you have nothing to worry about." Malik looked at her seriously.

Tèa smiled, "Always the gentleman."

"I'd be more of a gentleman if you'd let me defend your honor."

Tèa rolled her eyes, "I can look after myself you know."

"Really?"

"Yes." said Tèa haughtily. "I'll have you know I was just about to take care of the situation before you interrupted" She reached into her bag and pulled out a canister of pepper spray, which she showed to Malik.

Tèa managed to keep the haughty expression on for a few more seconds before they both began to laugh.

"Okay" said Malik when he managed to calm down, "Point conceded." He licked his popsicle, then frowned at her ice-cream.

"Why do you like vanilla so much? It's so bland and boring."

"I don't know how you can say that" Tèa shook her head, "Vanilla is one of the best flavors."

"Can I have a taste?"

"Sure" Tèa offered her cone. Gently, Malik pushed her arm out of the way and leant forward. He brushed his lips tenderly over hers before pulling back with a thoughtful expression. Then catching her eye he ran his tongue over his lips.

"Mmmmm."

Tèa blushed and looked down, avoiding his gaze. She felt a hand under her chin and she lifted her head to see a surprisingly gentle smile on Malik's face.

Then came the familiar wrench. The vision ended as everything faded to black. Tèa's last image was of Malik's smile, a gentle one - just for her.